STRENGTHS
Kenneth is a strong-legged, shifty, smart, patient running back. He has excellent lateral agility and the leg strength to break tackles and fall forward for the needed tough yards. He is very smart and does a good job identifying the blitz and blocking for his QB on passing downs. Kenneth shows excellent vision and balance to make his own yardage. He reads the bodies of his offensive lineman in front of him when they are blocking on running plays, waiting patiently for them to make their blocks and then he reacts. Kenneth is the type of running back who will be excellent in a no-huddle offense because of his “QB-like” football intelligence and feel for the game. He shows the vision to adjust his running style to what is happing on the field. He will make your running game something defenses will have to game plan for. Kenneth reminds me a lot of former Bills RB Fred Jackson.
CONCERNS
Kenneth will have to prove that he can catch the ball down the field like a receiver. Not being on a team that throws him the ball and that takes him out on most third downs, will affect his draft status. My guess is that this is not an issue of great concern but his workouts will be big for him to prove it. He also doesn’t have breakaway speed and for some teams, speed is everything and this also will affect his draft status…not for me, I think his speed is just fine.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.06
For the next level, running backs must pass block, be intelligent enough to read defenses for the blitz, and catch the ball like a slot receiver. Years ago, the QB had to have the ball out between 3, one thousand and 4, one thousand. Nowadays, QB’s have to have the ball out between 2, one thousand and 3, one thousand, or they get sacked. That fact requires a running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield like a slot receiver, or a Tight End, and just being a check-down receiver behind the line of scrimmage is not enough anymore. If Kenneth can convince teams in workouts that he has this talent and knows how to run routes and catch the ball he could become the type of running back that sneaks into the first round. Kenneth has all the other skills needed to be a consistent threat in every phase of the offense when he is on the field. Kenneth’s intelligence is what he brings to the next level that is unique, but if a team wants to use him in no-huddle situations he has to prove that he is more than just a running back. He has to prove that he is a threat catching the ball too. I have a sneaking suspicion that he will prove it but, that’s just me.
